Festival fever across county in September

We are spoilt for choice for festivals during September with three major events in the county.

If you plan carefully you could fill most of your month enjoying some of the best visual and performance art in the region.

In the south we have the long established Melbourne Festival running for a whole month, which this year is banging the drum for home-grown talent Made In Derbyshire; in the Dales, Wirksworth will be hosting its 21st cultural extravaganza and in the north New Mills with be throwing open its doors and streets for a two-week celebration of the arts.

Melbourne Festival will have a diverse programme of concerts and events running from September 4 to October 3 starting with The Old School Rocks at the Assembly Rooms with Nottingham band Vasey and closing with a raucous evening exploring the seven deadly sins with Derby’s 1623 Theatre Company and Sinful Shakespeare.

The Art Trail on September 19 and 20 is the main highlight of the month and will involve more than 120 artists, 50 of them from Derbyshire, in 70 homes, businesses and halls in the town. There will also be a Fairytale Trail for children to enjoy. Read more about this festival on pages 42 and 43 and get all the information you need at http://www.melbournefestival.co.uk

Wirksworth Festival Art and Architecture Trail will take place on September 12 and 13 and boasts 130 artists in 75 venues.

The trail is renowned for its excellent contemporary art but it also has plenty of live music being performed across the town and a new addition is a Green Festival Market on the Market Place.

The full festival runs from September 10-26 and includes an exciting selection of music, dance, drama, film and talks.

This year the festival and Town Hall Events are working together to stage a full performance programme and there are also some great Fringe events. Go to http://www.wirksworthfestival.co.uk for full details of times and locations.

New Mills Festival has a theme of Toys and Games this year and has added many more events aimed at younger people.

The annual two-week festival from September 11-27 is always a diverse mix of music and art, walks and talks, plays and poetry, talent shows and open days – and this year is no exception.

Topping the bill is Toyah but there is also a terrific art trail throughout the town and the now famous lantern procession. Go to http://www.newmillsfestival.com for the full programme.